Automechanika Frankfurt will once again
feature the Automechanika Aftermarket Forum during the show, which
takes place Sept. 14-19.
However, the forum will have a new format that begins with an official
opening ceremony on the first day of the fair and lasts a day longer
than in 2008. The spotlight of this additional day will be on
“e-mobility.”
The venue is also new – the “Portalhaus” building of the new Hall 11.
In addition to a new Automechanika study on a ‘New Era in Automobile
Service’ by Prof. Willi Diez, show organizers Messe Frankfurt say
visitors can look forward to an extensive program of lectures and panel
discussions with approximately 50 top international speakers.
“The trend toward ‘using instead of owning’ will characterize the
automobile market over the coming decades. This development will be
boosted by the increasing significance of electric vehicles. It is even
possible that we will see completely new players moving into tomorrow’s
automobile business, e.g., energy suppliers and mobility providers
that will relieve customers of all the worries associated with running
a car,” said Prof. Willi Diez of the Institute for the Automobile
Sector, summarizing the Automechanika study on a ‘New Era in Automobile
Service.’
The study will be released at the Business Press Conference in
Frankfurt am Main on Sept. 9. Then, on the first day of the Aftermarket
Forum – Sept. 14 – Diez will explain the study in detail after the
official opening ceremony by Member of the Board of Management of Messe
Frankfurt Detlef Braun. In the subsequent panel discussion,
representatives of ZF Services, ATU, EFA, Federation of the German
Motor Vehicle Trade (Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe –
ZDK) and TÜV Nord will discuss the current situation in the sector.
On Sept. 15, speakers will examine options for increasing workshop
productivity. In addition to the Garage Equipment Study 2010, the
subjects they will consider include tire service, the modern air
conditioning workshop, emission testing, mechatronic vehicle testing
and information systems for the trade and workshops. These lectures
will be given concurrently with the Damage Repair Management Forum,
where leading insurance companies, the Federation of the German Motor
Vehicle Trade (Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe – ZDK) and
the German Federation of Body and Automotive Engineering
(Zentralverband Karosserie- und Fahrzeugtechnik e.V. – ZKF) will
provide an overview of the current damage management situation and
present innovations in the field of bodywork repair.
“The trade and workshops – competition and chances in connection with
quality and training” is the theme of the third day of the fair. Robert
Rademacher, president of the ZDK, will discuss the new reality in the
aftermarket with representatives of the BMW Group and the German
Association of the Automotive Parts Trade (Gesamtverband Autoteile –
Handel – GVA). Research and training are the focal points of the
following lectures. To be held at the same time, the conference on the
“Right to Repair” campaign of the GVA, European Garage Equipment
Association (EGEA) and International Federation of Automotive
Aftermarket Distributors (FIGIEFA) will discuss ‘Business World meets
the Law Makers – The Legal Framework for a competitive Automotive
Aftermarket in 2010 and beyond.’
The last day of the Aftermarket Forum is a special highlight and will
be held under the much discussed motto of “e-mobility.” Markus Frank,
councilor and head of the Economics, Personnel and Sport Department of
the City of Frankfurt am Main, will discuss “Urban e-mobility:
strategies and chances.” With its above-average density of companies from the mobility and logistics sectors, Frankfurt could play
a leading role in this connection. Other subjects to be covered by
representatives of trade and industry include “New infrastructure and
new mobility structures” and “Setting-up a network of electric filling
stations.” One of the highlights will be the lecture by Frank
Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed AG, entitled, “Through 100 emotions to
zero emissions.” The visionary automobile tuning specialist will
present his new mobility concept that avoids the range barrier of
electric vehicles through the interaction of individual and public
transport.
Participation in the Automechanika Aftermarket Forum is free of charge
and all contributions will be translated simultaneously into English
and German. Visitors who register now at www.automechanika.com/frankfurt/aftermarketforum
will receive a free admission-ticket voucher for Automechanika
Frankfurt and a certificate of participation in the Aftermarket Forum.
The program of lectures can also be seen in detail on the website.
Further information about Automechanika is available at www.automechanika.com.
